Relief at positive outcome of negotiations on new EU Treaty

2.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 19th Oct 2007

Andrew at the traditional 'family photo' of the Heads of Government

The Liberal and Democrat group in the European Parliament (ALDE) expressed its relief and satisfaction at the outcome of negotiations in Lisbon last night on a new Reform Treaty for the EU which will enable the Union of 27 Member States to move forward and address more effectively the pressing global issues on the political agenda.

Andrew DUFF (UK, Lib Dem), ALDE group spokesperson on constitutional issues and one of Parliament's three representatives throughout the negotiations commented today from Lisbon:

"The 27 Member States have agreed to refresh their consensus about the future direction of the European Union and have overcome the failure of 2005."

"Everyone can walk away from this summit feeling satisfied that they have reached a good result, and I salute those Member States who showed a readiness to compromise in pursuit of this common goal."

"A particular credit must go to the Portuguese Presidency who have steered the negotiations with precision and professionalism."

"My principal regret is the inflation in the number of UK opt-outs which I believe will prove to be both counter-productive and futile in the long run given the imperative for the Union to act coherently in fields such as justice and home affairs and foreign policy."

"I am confident that Britain, in the end, will see it has nothing to fear from democratically formulated and judicially supervised policies working in the common interest."

Graham Watson, group leader for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats added:

"There is a clear relief in Lisbon today that an end is in sight to the years of constitutional wrangling."

"I urge all Member States to proceed with ratification in an honest, open and efficient manner so that we can move on to tackle the more practical and urgent matters on the policy agenda."

Commenting on one of the more creative solutions to a tricky diplomatic issue on the number of MEPs, Graham Watson said:

"To have satisfied the Italians by pretending to take away the vote of the President of the European Parliament seems to be a case of comedy turning into farce. But if it serves to build the necessary consensus on the new Treaty then I can live with it."